This Week in the News…

Posted: April 14, 2000 at 1:00 am, Last Updated: November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

Following are highlights of national news coverage George Mason received during the past week:

Friday, April 7, Chronicle of Higher Education

How the U. of Pennsylvania Learned that Outsourcing Is No Panacea

“Penn is learning the same difficult lesson that other universities have: It is hard to be a pioneer. George Mason University, for example, has become known for its businesslike approach to running the campus. It has outsourced such operations as the management of special events, the bookstore, mail delivery, parking lots, and dormitories. But it has not always been a smooth transition, says Kenneth E. Bumgarner, associate vice president for university services. The institution has frequently switched vendors, including those for food services, the bookstore, and dormitory management. And it is also constantly reminding employees that they must adjust to the arrangements. ‘It isn’t just me or my office or my staff,’ says Mr. Bumgarner. ‘It really has to be a university commitment to make these kinds of contracts work. You need help from the materials management department, the legal affairs office, the president, the buildings and grounds crew. Everyone has to adopt this mindset.'”